Announcements

Today we celebrated Landon's Make A Wish Trip by wearing our Landon’s Light shirt, Bison gear, or anything blue. All Freedom students and staff would like to show our support and well wishes for Landon and his family on their Make-a-Wish trip.

Mady is our new member of our team in the medically fragile room. She is from Park Rapids, MN where in high school she played volleyball, hockey and ran track. She attended Minnesota State University Moorhead earning degrees in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Psychology. I am currently completing my Developmental Adaptive Physical Education Certification as well. While at MSUM I was a member of the MSUM women’s track and field team, president of the student organization Dragons 4 Wellness, and a representative at the NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Aside from working at Freedom Elementary I also work as a Direct Support Professional with CCRI in Moorhead.

Classroom instruction starts at 8:10 am - students should be in their seats in the classroom at this time. Students should arrive no later than 8:00 am to allow time to put away items in lockers, say hi to friends and teachers before they need to be in their seats for attendance. Students arriving after 8:10 am are considered tardy and miss out on a productive start for themselves and other students. We appreciate your assistance in getting students to school on time.

It is that time of the year to plan for colder days! Reminder to parents to have students bring coats, snowpants, boots, gloves/mittens, hats and even scarves for recess time and before school. Thanks for helping our students be safe and warm during outside times.

We are in need of clothing for our younger students. We need size 4, 5, 6 - sizes to fit our Kindergarten students. If you have any of these sizes of pants and shirts please bring to the Freedom Office. We also need underwear for boys and girls of all sizes. Thank you.

Why is SARB/school attendance Important?

What is SARB?

School Attendance Review Board (SARB) is composed of representatives from various youth-serving agencies to help truant or recalcitrant students and their parents or guardians solve attendance problems through the use of available school and community resources.

What is chronic absenteeism?

A student is chronically absent if he or she misses school 10 percent of the time or more for any reason.

Why is school attendance important?

Research shows school absences can have a lasting impact on learning. One study on third grade reading level found the following:

Chronically absent children gained 14 percent fewer literacy skills in kindergarten than those who attended more regularly.

For students chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade, only 17 percent scored proficient.

Only 64 percent of third grade students who missed nine days or fewer in both kindergarten and first grade were reading at grade level.

Only 43 percent of third graders who missed more than nine days both years were reading at grade level.

Only 41 percent of students who were absent 18 or more days in either kindergarten or first grade could read at grade level. (chronic absence)

Of the students who missed 18 or more days in consecutive years, only 17 percent were reading at grade level. (chronic absence)

According to a Utah study

On average, being chronically absent in one grade increased the odds of being chronically absent in the next grade by nearly thirteen times.

A student who was chronically absent in any year, starting in the 8th grade, was 7.4 times more likely to drop out of school than a student who was not chronically absent during any of those year.

Congratulations! Freedom Elementary School in West Fargo School District has been designated an Exemplary High Performing Schools National Blue Ribbon School for 2018 by U. S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Your school is one of 349 schools in the nation and one of three schools from North Dakota to be recognized in 2018.

National Blue Ribbon Schools are public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools that are producing outstanding results for all students. They have demonstrated consistent excellence, and made progress in closing gaps in student achievement. The National Blue Ribbon Schools recognition program is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about effective school leadership and promising instructional practices.

Since its inception in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized more than 8,000 Great American Schools. Each year, representatives of newly recognized schools gather for a ceremony in Washington, DC where their achievement is officially honored by the U.S. Department of Education. This prestigious award galvanizes school communities and generates inspiring school success stories for the media. It also draws professional and public interest and offers recipients new opportunities to share their hard-won knowledge in districts, states and beyond.

On Monday afternoon, we held an assembly where students were able to learn about this great honor! We heard from guest speakers and watched the video from the Secretary of Education. We gave out treats as well! Photos of our assembly can be found on our Facebook page. This was made possible by all of you! Our students, staff and parents make our Freedom Family the best it can be! Thank you all!

School-Based Sealant Program

Seal! ND School-Based Fluoride Varnish and Dental Sealant Program

In 2012, The North Dakota Department of Health, Oral Health Program (OHP) implemented the Seal! ND School-based Fluoride Varnish and Dental Sealant Program. Public health dental hygienists visit schools two times a year (fall and spring) and provide direct preventive services, under standing orders of a dentist which include: oral health education, a screening, dental sealant and fluoride varnish application. A parent/guardian signed consent form is required to participate in the Seal! ND fluoride varnish and dental sealant program.

Services are provided to schools that are recognized as being in need by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Students attending pre-kindergarten through 12th grade (depending upon the school) with parent/guardian consent are eligible to receive the free oral health services. A goody bag consisting of a result sheet (what the child had done), toothbrush, toothpaste and floss will be provided to each child that is seen. In the West Fargo area, Maple Family Dental will be providing the services. Watch for more information to come!

District News & Updates

Impacted by the Government Shutdown?

New guidance from the US Department of Agriculture provides support for families impacted by the shutdown of the federal government. If your family’s income has been cut off due to the shutdown, you are eligible to apply for Free & Reduced Lunch. Information about the Free & Reduced Lunch program, including how to apply, can be found on our website.

The third session of a four-part series on student success is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 7:00PM - 8:30PM at Cheney Middle School.

Join West Fargo Public Schools' administrators and students, West Fargo Police Department, and representatives from various community agencies to get an inside look at how social media impacts the lives of our students and children today. Resources will be shared that will allow families to better understand the risks of the online world and best practices for responsible digital citizenship. Moderated and live broadcasted by AM 1100 The Flag WZFG.

It is that time of year again when weather can alter school day plans. Please review the district's weather procedures to better prepare in the event of a late start, early dismissal, or no school day. In the event of a weather-related closure, all evening activities and facility rentals will be cancelled and the West Fargo Sports Arena and Hulbert Aquatic Center will close.

All three trainings will be held at the Leidal Education Center (Room #133), 207 W Main Ave, West Fargo, ND 58078. The Family Educator Enhancement Team (FEET) is designed to assist families who have children with special needs by connecting them to available educational partners. If you wish to attend, please RSVP one week prior to the event. Childcare will be provided.